Steam-cleaning apparatus



May 25 1955 w. R. VAN DEBURG 3,185,395

STEAM-CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 4, 196s United States Patent O 3,185,395 STEAM-CLEANING APPARATUS William R. Van Deburg, Jackson, Wyo. Filed Apr. 4, 1963, SerfNo. 270,730 4 Claims. (Cl. 239-131) The present invention relates to a steam-cleaning apparatus and more particularly to aportable steam cleaner 1 which is capable of substantially instantaneously converting water at `ambient temperatures into steam under pressure and for delivering the steam to a manually operated nozzle.

Steam cleaners have particular utility in automotive repair garages, gasoline service stations, on farms, and 4other similar places for the purpose of removing dirt, grease and grime olf equipment, with facility, in a minimum amount of time. Such cleaners usually generate steam under pressure Which is directed through a suitable conduit system directly onto the equipment being cleaned, and normally the apparatus for generating the steam is bulky, expensive and inconvenient in handling.

It is an object of this invention to provide a steam cleaning apparatus which is simple in construction, ellicient in operation and facile to use.

`It is still another object of this invention to provide a steam-cleaning apparatus containing a unique boiler arrangement whereby water at ambient temperatures may be quickly land efficiently converted into steam under pressure. l

It is still another objec-t of this invention to provide a steam-cleaning apparatus wherein the Water which is to be converted into steam is first mixed with a suitable soap composition and thereafter substantially.instantaneously converted into steam.

Other `objects will become Iapparent as the description proceeds. p

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of `attaining them will become more -apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of j 3,185,395 Patented VMay 2a, ieee ice . 30 which is secured to and projects through the Wall 12,

14, 16 and outwardly thereof to be connectedlto a cylindrically shaped soap tank 32 as shown.

The lower coil 2S has a tubing extension 34 which also extends through and is secured to the wall 12, 14, 16 and to this section of tubing 34 is connected a rubber hose 36 hav-ing a 'steam nozzle, generally indicated by the numeral 38, connected thereto. The nozzle `3S is rigid and preferably foi-med of 11A inch diameter conduit or pipe having a ser-ies of aerating apertures 40 therein. Coaxially mounted inside the handle 40 in radially spaced relation an embodiment of the invention takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodimentof this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly diagrammed, of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FG. 3 is a cross-section taken substantially along the Y section line 3-3 of FG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the screen wire basket used in the apparatus of the preceding iigures Referring to the drawings, the steam cleaner comprises a fire boxwhich is generally indicated by the reference -numeral 10. TheA lire box comprises a tubular, stainless steel liner 12 which is open at the upper and lower ends thereof. In a Working embodiment of this invention, this vliner is made of Ellguage steel. Coaxially surrounding the liner 12 is an outer, steel jacket 14, also of tubular shape, which is radially spaced outwardly from the liner 12 as shown. The material for this jacket 14, in a working embodiment of this invention, is 14-gauge steel. Filling the space between the liner 12 andjacket 14 is thermal insulation indicated by the numeral l16, this insulation preferably being asbestos.

Fixedly secured to, by Welding or the like, the upper ends of the liner andV jacket 12, 14, respectively, is a sheet steel cover 13, which is disc-shaped, having a concentrically located vent opening 20. This vent opening 2i) has a diameter which may be about one-third that of the cover 13. To the bottom ends of the liner 12 and jacket `14 is secured a disc shaped bottom plate 22, preferably made of sheet steel, which is provided with a burner opening 24. As will now be apparent from viewis a nozzle section which is secured at the right-hand end to the rubber hose 36 and projects outwardly from the left-hand end of the handle 40 as indicated by the numeral 44.

A conventional gas burner 46 is secured to the frame structure which supports the lire box 10 and is positioned in registry with the burner opening 24 so that the llame from the the burner 46 can directly impinge upon the coil 28. Suitable piping 48 is connected to the burner 46 and is equipped with a hand valve or the like whereby the height of the llame produced by the burner 46 can be controlled.

The soap tank 32 is provided with a pipe section 50 which serves as a water inlet, a conventional hand valve 52 being connected in series with the pipe section 50 for the purpose of controlling the liow of Water therethrough.

The tank 32 is provided with a cap S4 which is threaded onto the neck portion -56 and serves to not only seal the tank 32 hermetically but also to locate and mount in position a -screen-Wire basket 58 which is shown more clearly in FIG. 4. To the upper end of this basket 53 is Welded or otherwise secured a suitable mounting ring 60, and as will be noted Vfrom close examination of FIG. 2, this ring 60 is clamped between the upper end of the neck portion 56 and the threaded cap 54.

As shown more clearly in FIG. l, the tank 32 is fixedly mounted on the lire box 10 by means of two rigid posts 62 and 64 which are preferably made of sections of metal pipe. Depending from the bottom of the tank 32 and secured thereto is ra pedestal 66 which is adapted to rest on a supporting surface.

The re box 10 as well as the burner 46 are mounted on a suitable frame indicated by the numeral 68, this frame also having operatively secured thereto a pair of supporting Wheels 70. Secured to the firebox 10 as Well as to the frame 68 is a set of handles 72 by which the apparatus can be conveniently moved from one place to another.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the twoA coils 26 and 28 are connected in series `by means of a section of tubing 74.

Prior to operating the apparatus just described, the cap 54 is removed from the tank 32 =and a granular soap material of conventional composition is poured into the wire basket 58. The size of the granules is larger than the openings in the basket, such that they will not be washed therefrom. A water line is connected to the valve 52 and j `a source of heating gas is connected to the line 4S.

In operation, the valve 52 is opened so that water will ow through the pipe section 50, into the tank 32, through the line 30, the two coils 26 and 23, lthe pipe section 34,

the rubber hose 36 and out of the nozzle tip 44. This ow is permitted to continue until all of the air is driven out of the coils. The control valve 52 is then adjusted until the stream of water issuing from the nozzle tip 44 is about 8-incl1es long. This dimension is indicated by the numeral 76. The burner 46 is next ignited and is adjusted to provide a full flame which plays directly onto the coil 28. Very shortly, steam which is generated in the system of coils will issue from the nozzle tip 44. If this steam is too dry, the valve 52 is opened slight-ly to provide more water. If the steam does not start in a period of time less than one minute, the valve 52 is closed slightly until steam is generated.

The soap contained in the basket 58 is continuously being partially dissolved and enters into the flow which extends into the coils 26 and 28. Therefore, the steam which issues from the nozzle tip has soap mixed therewith.

The coil 26 is positioned in suiciently close proximity to the coil 53 and burner 46 such that the water therein will be preliminarily heated before reaching the coil 28.

The lire box 10, being thermally insulated, efficiently retains and directs the heat from the burner 46 onto the coils 26 and 28. The vent opening 20 permits the gases to escape.

In a preferred working embodiment of this invention, a hand valve 78 is connected in series with the line 30 (see FIG. l) for controlling the flow of liquid from the tank 32 -to the coil 26. Also, a safety pressure valve 80 is connected in series with the line 34 so as to relieve the pressure in the coil 28 should it reach a value in excess of 80-pounds per square inch. The screen wire for the basket 58 may be of copper material; however, any suitable material capable of retaining the granular soap in place may be used.

While I have described above the principles of my in vention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitat-ion to the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Steam-cleaning apparatus comprising a cylindrical firebox which includes a tubular shaped stainless steel liner open at -both ends, -a tubular shaped steel jacket coaxially surrounding said linerand being radially spaced therefrom, said jacket Ibeing open at both ends, asbestos insulation filling the space between said jacket and liner, said liner and jacket being of the same length, a cover secured to and closing one end of both the jacket and llner, said cover having a vent opening therein, a bottom secured to and closing the other end of both the jacket and liner, said botto-rn having a lame opening therein; two planar spiral water coils fixedly mounted inside said rebox, said two coils being arranged concentrically in said rebox in radially spaced relation therewith, said two coils further being parallel and spaced apart axially, said two coils being connected in series, the rst of said coils having an inlet connection, the second of said coils having 4an outlet connection; a gas burner mounted on said rebox in registry with said flame opening and adjacent to said second coil whereby the flame from said burner is positioned in heat-exchanging relation therewith; a soap tank mounted on the exterior of said firebox and havmg a first conduit connection which is coupled to said inlet connection, said tank also having a second conduit connection, a control valve connected in series with said conduit connection, a screen-wire basket mounted inside said tank for receiving a quantity of granulated soap, a cover removably mounted on said tank in registry with said basket; a hose connected to said outlet connection, and a steam nozzle coupled to said hose, said nozzle including an elongated handle having a series of axially spaced openings therein.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cover extends radially inwardly toward the center of said firebox with said vent opening being smaller than the diameter of said liner thereby tending to retain the heat in said rebox.

3. The apparatus of claim l wherein said coils are fabricated of copper tubing and both coils are aligned with said burner whereby the heat from the latter directly radiates thereonto; said iirebox being mounted on a pair of wheels with the axis of said rebox being upright, and an upright pedestal secured to said tank and extending downwardly to engage a supporting surface.

4. Steam-cleaning apparatus comprising a cylindrical firebox which includes a tubular shaped heat-resistant steel liner open at both ends, a tubular shaped steel jacket coaxially surrounding said liner and being radially spaced therefrom, said jacket being open at both ends, thermal insulation filling the space between said jacket and liner, said liner and jacket being of the same length, a cover secured to and closing one end of both the jacket and liner, said cover having a vent opening therein, a bottom secured to and closing the other end of both the jacket and liner, said bottom having a flame opening therein; at least two planar spiral water coils fixedly mounted inside said firebox, said two coils being arranged concentrically in said firebox in radially spaced relation therewith, said two coils further being parallel and spaced apart axially, said two coils being connected in series, the rst of said coils having an inlet connection, the second of said coils having an outlet connection; a gas burner mounted on said firelbox in registry with said flame opening and adjacent to said second coil whereby the flame from said burner is positioned in heat exchanging relation therewith; a soap tank mounted on the exterior of said firebox and having a first conduit connection which is coupled to said inlet connection, said tank also having a second conduit connection, a control valve connected in series with said conduit connection, means mounted inside said tank for receiving a quantity of granulated soap, a cover removably mounted on said tank in registry with said means; a hose connected to said outlet connection, and a steam nozzle coupled to said hose, said nozzle including an elongated handle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,746,624 2/30 Wier 239-137 1,766,088 6/30 Wier 239-137 1,878,560 9/32 Wier 239-137 2,060,950 11/36 Pratt 122-250 2,266,205 12/41 Hunter 239-210 2,570,630 10/51 Arant 122-250 2,712,471 7/55 Hall 239-137 2,860,917 11/58 Thompson 239-136 OTHER REFERENCES Publication of the Homestead Valve Mfg. Co., Coraopolis, Pa.

EVERETI W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner. 

4. STEAM-CLEANING APPARATUS COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL FIREBOX WHICH INCLUDES A TUBULAR SHAPED HEAT-RESISTANT STEEL LINER OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, A TUBULAR SHAPED STEEL JACKET COAXIALLY SURROUNDING SAID LINER AND BEING RADIALLY SPACED THEREFROM, SAID JACKET BEING OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, THERMAL INSULATION FILLING THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID JACKET AND LINER, SAID LINER AND JACKET BEING OF THE SAME LENGTH, A COVER SECURED TO AND CLOSING ONE END OF BOTH THE JACKET AND LINER, SAID COVER HAVING A VENT OPENING THEREIN, A BOTTOM SECURED TO AND CLOSING THE OTHER END OF BOTH THE JACKET AND LINER, SAID BOTTOM HAVING A FLAME OPENING THEREIN; AT LEAST TWO PLANAR SPIRAL WATER COILS FIXEDLY MOUNTED INSIDE SAID FIREBOX, SAID TWO COILS BEING ARRANGED CONCENTRICALLY IN SAID FIREBOX IN RADIALLY SPACED RELATION THEREWITH, SAID TWO COILS FURTHER BEING PARALLEL AND SPACED APART AXIALLY, SAID TWO COILS BEING CONNECTED IN SERIES, THE FIRST OF SAID COILS HAVING AN INLET CONNECTION, THE SECOND OF SAID COILS HAVING AN OUTER CONNECTION; A GAS BURNER MOUNTED ON SAID FIREBOX IN REGISTRY WITH SAID FLAME OPENING AND ADJACENT TO SAID SECOND COIL WHEREBY THE FLAME FROM SAID BURNER IS POSITIONED IN HEAT EXCHANGING RELATION THEREWITH; A SOAP TANK MOUNTED ON THE EXTERIOR OF SAID FIREBOX AND HAVING A FIRST CONDUIT CONNECTION WHICH IS COUPLED TO SAID INLET CONNECTION, SAID TANK ALSO HAVING A SECOND CONDUIT CONNECTION, A CONTROL VALVE CONNECTED IN SERIES WITH SAID CONDUIT CONNECTION, MEANS MOUNTED INSIDE SAID TANK FOR RECEIVING A QUANTITY OF GRANULATED SOAP, A COVER REMOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID TANK IN REGITSTY WITH SAID MEANS; A HOSE CONNECTED TO SAID OUTLET CONNECTION, AND A STEAM NOZZLE COUPLED TO SAID HOSE, SAID NOZZLE INCLUDING AN ELONGATED HANDLE. 